Ninja Gaiden 4 Launches Today with New Protagonist and Near-Future Tokyo Setting

The legendary action franchise returned today with the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, marking the series' first numbered entry in 13 years. Developed through a collaboration between series creator Team Ninja and Platinum Games (Bayonetta, Nier Automata), the game introduced an entirely new world set in a near-future Tokyo plagued by endless miasmic rain.

Players stepped into the role of Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy whose fate was intertwined with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa. The game maintained the series' hallmark high-speed ninja action while introducing new mechanics designed to push action game veterans to their limits while welcoming newcomers to rise to the legendary ranks of "Master Ninja."

The game featured signature techniques from the series including Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow, enhanced with new abilities called "Chikketsu Ninjutsu" (Blood Wedge Ninja Arts) that allowed players to overwhelm enemies in spectacular fashion. According to developer statements, Arc System Works provided oversight on operation feel and difficulty optimization for modern audiences.

Set in a dystopian Tokyo consumed by supernatural forces, Yakumo confronted mechanized soldiers and otherworldly creatures to free the city from a mysterious curse. The game offered adjustable difficulty settings and customizable experience options, ensuring both series veterans and newcomers could find their preferred challenge level.

Ninja Gaiden 4 launched with a Deluxe Edition that included exclusive character skins across all platforms. The game represented a significant return for the franchise, bringing together the expertise of Team Ninja's action game legacy with Platinum Games' reputation for stylish, high-octane combat systems.

Game Information

Official website: Ninja Gaiden 4